ORLANDO, Fla. – Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 continues to show signs of strengthening Tuesday morning, with rapid intensification expected over the next 48 hours.
The latest update from the National Hurricane Center takes, what could be Hurricane Helene, toward the Gulf Coast of Florida by Thursday as a major hurricane.
Local impacts will be very dependent on what the official landfall is, so expect forecasts to evolve over the next 48 hours.
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RAINFALL:
Tropical moisture will begin to surge in by Thursday morning with heavy tropical downpours expected as the center of the hurricane approaches landfall.
Latest models show rainfall accumulations between 2-4 inches across Central Florida, with higher amounts possible where feeder bands dump longer periods of rainfall.
The Storm Prediction Center has increased the excessive rainfall outlook to a marginal to slight risk on Thursday.
A plume of deep moisture may remain behind the storm, keeping the threat for heavy rainfall into the weekend.
WINDS:
The storm looks to have a large wind field once it matures, which could extend far east of the center.
This could bring an enhanced risk for tropical storm wind gusts Thursday afternoon and into Thursday evening.
On this track, Central Florida should remain on the dirty (right) side of the storm. This will increase the chances for isolated tornadoes embedded within the storm’s feeder bands.
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A tropical storm watch has been issued for parts of Central Florida as tropical storm conditions are possible in the next 48 hours.
Before the tropical moisture moves in by Thursday, expect conditions to remain mostly dry Tuesday afternoon with rain coverage less than 20% with highs in the low 90s.
Meteorologist Jonathan Kegges provides the latest information about everything happening in the tropics.
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